All right, the time is now 6:00. Uh it is Tuesday, August 12th. We are in the board of selectment meeting room and I'd like to open the board of selectment meeting uh here for the town of Halifax. With me is uh Bill Smith, Thomas Pratt, myself, Jonathan Celig, our um interim
town administrator, Bob Fennennessy, and our assistant Pam McSherry. I'd like to start the meeting, guys, how we always do with the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Before we get started here too, I want to read this really quickly. Um, meeting, this meeting here has been posted in accordance with the provisions of Mass General Law, Chapter 3A, Section
20B. It's being recorded and will be posted on Area 58, Community Access Channel. Uh, the board chair reasonably anticipates the following matters will be discussed and or voted on at this meeting and the agenda items may be taken out of order for time management considerations.
Uh so without further ado, we'll just jump right down to the first part of our um agenda here. And Bill, if you don't mind, you want to jump in for the affirmation approval of the warrants and commitments. I move to approve affirm approval of the following warrants and commitments. Payroll warrant number six
for 298,7344. Vendor warrant number seven for 64,928.78. Withholding warrant number eight for $87,439.88. Vendor warrant number nine for $22,38.86. School warrant number 11 for $76,9.17.
Ambulance commitments from 72125 to 72725 for $91,632.50. Ambulance commitments 72825 8325 for $54,863. >> Second.
>> Call those in favor. >> I passes unanimous. >> I move to approve the following warrants. Payroll warrant number 10 for $1,91.95. Payroll warrant number 12 for 276,349.80.
Vendor warrant number 13 for $263, $214.34. Withholding warrant number 14 for $92,13861. Mobile park fee number eight for $5,160. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes
unanimous. All right, we'll jump down to uh a the approval of selectman minutes. Uh, I'll entertain a motion to approve uh the selectman meeting minutes for June 24th, 2025 and July 22nd, 2025. >> Do I have a second? >> I have to abstain from this the 22nd cuz
I want Okay. >> I separate them. >> You want to separate them? Yeah. Okay. So, I'll entertain a motion to approve uh the selectment meeting minutes for June 24th, 2025. >> Second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? I passes unanimous. I'll entertain a motion to
approve the selectment meeting minutes for July 22nd, 2025. >> So moved. >> And I will second that. All those in favor? I. Any abstains? >> Stain bill. Y. >> Yep. So passes two.
>> All right. Uh, next on our agenda down to letter B is Paul Buchain here for the Eagle South project. Paul, thank you for coming. >> I'm Paul. >> Yeah. I'm just going to move this microphone around, Paul, so that the public can hear you. >> Okay. All right. All right, there you go. >> All right. Uh, hi, I'm Paulo Sh. I'm a
life scout. Uh, currently in troop 39 Halifax. So, my proposal for my Eagle Scout project is a refurbishment of the minor fields uh dugouts. Those are like the concrete ones for you. Um, don't know the field names. So, this project would consist of four steps. The first would be uh cleaning dugouts, sweeping
them, taking any trash out, removing any of the paint of um on the concrete dugouts and then removal of the trim like the paint on the trim of the dugouts like the wood trim and then any broken or rotted beams supporting the fence on the dugout. The next step in my project will be
repairing. So, uh, reapplication of the rubber roof lining, which is coming up, um, as well as cleaning of the rest of the benches, sanding the wood trim, and application of mortar to any cracks in the concrete walls. Uh, the third step in the project would be painting. Uh, this step would include painting of
benches, painting of the concrete walls and the painting of the wood trims and beams of roof. Uh, and then the fourth step of the project would be installation. The step would consist of wood beams replacing the router ones previously removed and the installation of a small plaque with my name to say
like referred by troop 39 Halifax. Um as this project specifically means the world to me as I owed uh so much to my ears in youth sports programs in Halifax. From baseball to basketball to soccer, youth sports in the community truly had a positive impact and brought great joy in my purpose in my youth.
With this project, I not only to get hope to give back to the community, but get that gave so much to me, but I also hopefully will give some of the experience I had to the kids in baseball and softball. >> So, I already have this approved by
Peter Baron, who is the director of um youth baseball in Halifax, and um all the funding will come from me and he's already pledged donations for the project. >> Excellent. I I think it's a great idea.
Uh those dugouts are lovingly referred to as the prison dugouts because they are really really snug and and really really needing some TLC. So, uh I think it's a fantastic idea. And the thing I like about this, we have some great Eagle Scout projects. Um but sometimes,
and it's not a fault of you guys, sometimes you create something that needs um >> upkeep over and over and over, right? So, this is a a great project in that uh what you're doing is is the upkeep. So, I think that's terrific. Um and I think it's a great idea. Anything else from
the board? >> I would just add and you kind of touched on it, Paul. I I think it's farreaching, too. I mean, that those fields are used by a lot of different kids throughout the course of the year. Um baseball, softball, the Halifax Elementary School uses those fields for certain field days, activities. So, it's farreaching.
There's not just a limited number of people who might enjoy it. it's the town's children uh in general who will use those facilities that will benefit. So, I think that's a uh probably not on by accident that you chose that project. It's farreaching. I applaud the effort. So, excellent, excellent choice. >> How long is it going to take to do it? >> Uh about a week.
>> About a week. >> Yeah. >> And financially, it looks like everything's okay. >> Yeah. >> About $500 total. >> Great. Great. Great. >> Good choice. >> Yeah. Pete, how do you do? >> Excellent. >> All right.
He got dalled up and he took care of. That's great. So, you need a um Paul, you need a vote from the selectman to okay the project. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Great. Um I'll entertain a motion to approve the Eagle Scout project by one Mr. Paul Buchet. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? I. >> Excellent. >> Passes unanimous. Thank you very much, Paul. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. No worries. Pleasure. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Appreciate your hand to the trolley spirit. It was awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Good job. >> Absolutely. All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. From one cool project to another, we go from the Eagle Scout
project to Mr. Dave Walsh is here for the Veterans Memorial update. Uh Dave, we'll switch the microphone over for you. And if you have an update for us, that'd be great. >> My name is David Welch and I'm here representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Halifax. I want to first of all applaud the community spirit. It's
awesome. I was here last uh last last month. I saw the same thing going on. I also want to give a shout out if I may. >> Absolutely. >> The Halifax Police Department. >> I live in Oak Street, Halifax. >> Uh couple years ago, we had a couple youngsters almost almost killed uh right
in the corner of Brandeise were into sex with Oak right in front of my house almost. Uh since then uh they have taken the bull of horns and they've done wonderful. I've seen the uh speeders cut down almost there still some of course
but it's been really good. The policing has been awesome this time. >> Good. >> I'm here. I'm here representing the veterans for North Wars to update you on our memorial that were proposed. >> I came before you last month but asking for your permission. You gave me uh
permission to start initi initiate it. So, we have we we've ordered the bench. The bench is a uh polished granite bench, 4t long, 2 ft wide, two uh 4 in thick. And on the back part, it'll be a park
bench. On the back, it'll say Joshua Aaron Curtis straight across 1986 to 2025. Heroin combat dot heroin life.
as you know his circumstances. So you know I I thought and Nick you probably know his military record. Uh I think I we're I think we're expecting the arrival to occur approximately the last week of of uh this month or the first
week of September. Uh give or take. They may say said you know the inscription might be a little bit off. If they make a mistake it'll tweak it a little bit but that's when we expect it. >> Okay. Uh I've consulted with Scott and Turner on this about where we're going to place this bench and he we we came up
with the uh problem of the handicap accessibility regulations. >> Mhm. >> Those benches all may all may all have to be moved for we know >> y >> uh there has to be some pathway so someone with a wheelchair can actually access it
>> and it they can get themselves out or not or they have an assist but they have to access it. Mhm. >> So, this that may take it may take a turn to go to the back here what they're planning on putting the patio out there. So, that's ongoing and I'll if there's
any any change at all, I'll update you on on the memorial. But, as of right now, uh we we would like to have uh set it right out by the uh rock on the east and the lawn, the side lawn, >> but uh it doesn't look like we'll do
that unless they decide to put the patio out there and put the accessibility. I'll have to update you on that. The dedication right now is set for Veterans Day at 11:00 a.m. >> Oh, great. And I've talked to at length with Steve Littlefield. I've carried it this far. I said,
"Steve, it's on your ball game, baby." So, he's going to he's going to carry it from there. I think he's going to invite uh Representative Lerno. No, Laterno. Uh >> Latra. Yep. Latra. >> And uh uh our state senators, I'm I'm
saying I don't know. >> Brady. Senator Brad. Yeah. Senator Brady. >> Senator Brady still ours here. Yes, I know he did a thing last year in Plton for the uh town hall. >> Yep. Yeah, he's still our senator. >> So, I assume he's probably with me. >> We also have a representative Ken Swezy.
>> So, you want to invite both of our reps and our senator? That'd be great. >> Face with with you gentlemen and uh all the other celebrities. And >> I know about that now. Come on. >> People are really come a long way. I have to give you that. I'm I'm very I'm very proud to live here. It's a nice
little community. Uh he'll he'll see I will see but he will he will carry my back to see that his wife Barbara and their son Owen is there to do the dedication. >> Great. >> And uh I think that's probably all I can give
you on an update at the moment. >> Great. >> Without anything, no pun intended, but it's nothing's written in stone. >> Well played. Well played, Dave. Um no, it sounds great. Uh sounds like we're making progress. I like that we're going to get it into the ground, you know,
before the ground freezes over, you know, if we're going to have a, you know, a Veterans Day >> s progress. We've got it. It's ordered. It's on its way. And, uh, I've consulted with Swinson uh, Memorials, uh, twice so far in the past month. Everything is everything is right along on time.
>> They they're not facing any problems cutting in the scripting. Uh, so we should be fine. >> Great. Great. >> They installing it, too, or >> I'm sorry, sir. >> Are they installing it? >> They are. Yes, sir. They they have their own uh loading truck and winch, a heavy duty truck. They'll bring it here and
they will set it down once we determine the place. And I've ordered uh I I don't know if I should have, but I did order an extra footing for it. So, we it's set on both sides. If anything go wrong, Murphy's law, we don't want it to happen.
>> So, that's what's happening there. >> Great. Great. Sounds terrific, sir. >> Any other questions from the board? >> No. Thank you. Thank you. I'll shake your hand, too. >> Thank you for your help. >> Yes. Thank you. We should We're giving out hands. >> I feel like an important >> Yeah, you are. >> I'm sorry. My left wing is has been
injured. I can't really uh so if I look a little weird. >> No, that's because I am. >> Thank you. Appreciate it, Dave. >> If you didn't mind if I could sit in a little bit. I really enjoy the going going to the >> Sure. You're more than welcome to stay as long as you want. >> Yes. Usually people can't wait to run
out of here, so it's nice that you want to hang around. the things from there. >> Thank you. All right. Uh moving on to letter D here. We're going to go to the ambulance abatements. Uh so I'll entertain a motion to approve the ambulance abatement uh for June 2025 for
$136,890.60 and July 2025 for $122,365.66. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I passes unanimous. All right. Uh we're moving down to E, which is the asphalt rubber surface treatment contract with All States Construction. So, the town
went out to bid um for a new three-year contract for road grade rubberized asphalt. Uh it's what a lot of the communities are using now on their roadways. Um and we had one bidder here for All States Construction. So, I believe you guys have the information
there in your packet. uh and they'd be looking for the board to uh approve the bid with all state construction. Uh I have some Bob, you were great here. Gave me some information. I have everything you've ever wanted to know about rubberized asphalt and the importance of
rubberized asphalt. Uh it's more durable than regular asphalt. Lifespan can go up to 25% longer. It resists cracking and breaks better. Fewer potholes, which I know everybody doesn't like potholes. Nobody does. So, um that's great. um
environmental impact. Uh you recycle from old tires. Um it reduces landfill waste. So, a lot of great things. I mean, I could keep going. There's noise reduction. There's safety. It's textured surface, so it's it's better for the drivers hugging the road. Uh and while
it is a little bit more pricey, um it can save money in the long run because it's not getting beat up as quickly as the non- rubberized stuff. So, um again, we would be looking for emotion. Um, >> question. What roads it's going to be used on? >> No. So, this isn't for a specific
project. This is just for the company we'll use for our projects for the for this three-year time. >> Uh, we have a question there for the gentleman in the back. Can you come up, sir, and identify yourself? >> You know, I have a question. >> I'm sure you do.
>> Johnston, Elm Street. Um, two questions. >> All right. >> Value of the contract and term of the contract. >> I know it's a three-year deal. Um, and what do you have the value, Bob? I'll see if I can find it. >> So, it goes by prices per ton. >> Yep.
>> Square yards. So, it's >> price per square yard of the asphalt rubber surface treatment applied to the town roadway is $625 per ton. >> $6 per square. Be right. If it was a ton. >> Yeah, that's a pretty cheap deal. Uh the
second is a uh contractor shall provide all necessary crack sealing onto the roadways prior to the surface treatment using CR AFCO 2011 rubberized crack sealant and that's price per square yard is $110.
And option three option two is a contractor shall provide all necessary HMA shim leveling to the roadways prior to the surface treatment. price includes application of the T coat and that price per square yard is $225.
So the price is the depends on the project itself. How long the road is and how how wide. >> So we took all three options. Correct. >> Correct. >> What's the not to exceed value of the contracts is what I'm after. It does an
NTE on there. It's not an open contract. >> Right. Hold on. We'll see if we can find it for you, Frank. Leave it to Johnston to always ask the question that everybody's got to find here. >> Got to ask those question. >> Oh, and that's why we love you, Frank. Keep us on our toes.
>> We're going to talk about it in finance. So, >> yep. The one thing we got to consider too is um unfortunat not unfortunately but this was the only bid we received. >> Yeah, that's a little concerning you know. I know. So that where I don't want to say our hands are tied but our hands
are kind of tied. >> Hold on. >> Final payment is the owner shall make final payment constituting the entire unpaid balance of the contract sum. So they must identify it somewhere. Yeah, there's got to be Yeah, we can't sign an open-ended contract for that not to exceed. I hope that's not what we're
going to do. >> Indemnification. We were just lost. >> So, it's a unit cost contract by the square foot or square yard. So, there's got to be some kind of a not to exceed number on that or they could just keep running down the road.
>> Right. I don't I'm not seeing it, guys. Are anybody seeing it? I don't see it. >> Section seven says, "Contract sum. The owner shall pay the contractor sums based on the price list and the work performed subject to any additions or subtractions provided in this contract." So, to me, does this indicate that
they're not doing any work unless contracted by Steve Award and the highway department? >> Right. Is it contract contract or contract? I would think. >> Understood. Contract should have not to exceed value. >> Would that be subject to Steve's budget and or proposed? Not sure. I don't know
what it's using the chapter 90 money >> operating budget of 300,000 >> to to Tom's point I and again I'm not 100% here but I think it's contract I would think it's contract specific to the project >> understand
there has to be a a value there not to go over it because otherwise you're going to come to finance and say oh we're over by 100,000 we need a modification But isn't that tied to the specific contract of the that specific project
each project >> so that >> you know so this pro let's say street >> the value of the project >> depends on how many rows we right >> so what's the value of the contract we have to have a not to exceed number I would think >> but that's again this is not specific
project Frank this is just who we're going to use for each specific >> contract schedule >> yeah so we wouldn't know what that So, so the the highway not to expend a million dollar.
>> No, because they have chapter 90 funds that that kind of limit that what they can use so that they know what their ballpark is >> to use. So, they'll >> I get both sides of this. >> They'll use as much as >> Why would that be written into the contract then? Not to exceed 554,000 or
whatever we're getting this year. >> You mean like the the final number of chapter 90? exceed >> value of a contract. And then they come back and >> in the spring and say, you know, guys, you know, it's in the budget season and,
you know, July's coming around and we we got these extra road bills that we ran out of money for on this contract that we need another $80,000 for, whatever it might be. Well, tell you what. Uh, section 4 indicates effective start date and a date mutually agreed by the contractor
and the town set date not later than August 7, which we are past. >> So, is there any harm in delaying this uh to substantiate the answers to Frank's question? Is there a detriment to putting this off two weeks? >> Yeah, we want to >> rebid it.
>> No, not rebid it. Get clarification. >> Clarification before we sign off >> on the question or any others that might come up before we sign into contract with the company. I'm just concerned about there's no end value to this contract. It's to me it's an open-ended value. Total value will come from
whether you're doing one road or 12 roads in town, >> right? And again, I almost view it as a it's a retainer, you know, with this company, not a retain. There's no set money set to it, but whatever project we have coming down the road, we're
agreeing that this is the company we will use. this is the rates we're going to use and Steve will will have a set value for each project that they can't go over. >> So I think we're we're insuring ourselves in each individual contract.
You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. I you kind of led me to another good point where you I thought you were going to say it and you kind of started if we retain legal counsel with a budget. The rates are set forth. If we exceed the budget by reasonable means that that's over the budget, right? So to Frank's point, he's concerned about the not to exceed limit, but really
we're not approving any amounts to be done or the work to be performed. >> Correct. >> We're retaining this company for the work that is agreed to be performed at a later time >> at agreed rates. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> I see your point though. Um and I'm if there's no harm, we could just table it until we get the answer. >> Yeah. >> Unless there's unless there's
>> I don't think there's an answer to that. There's no there's no uh >> ultimate answer other than what you we hold our department has responsible to stay within their budget. So if they if they have a budget of say $450,000 from chapter 90 funds, that's all they can
expend and they can't go higher than that, right? >> But department stay within the budget. >> So these are these are these contracts are out there all the time. You know, we we are bidding on a amount and price per
amount and not price per project. Be different if we were just bidding to to resurface Plymouth Street, >> right? >> Then they'll have to come out and measure it and say and then then we'll get bids just for that, right? >> But this is a threeyear over the three-year period. >> And I understand that locking in these rates.
>> I understand that. But I've never written an open contract with no dollar value attachments called the not to exceed an NTE attached to that contract. >> Well, to to Tom's point, like again with legal, you know, with our with our council, we we bind into a contract with
them for a set fee, we don't we don't then tell them, hey guys, we're not we don't have an FTE on our legal budget. You know, it's as is as happens, right? So, I don't I don't think it would be in the town's best interest to assign a
hard number uh when we don't know what projects we're going to be dealing with. Maybe we get more chap it's not usually going to happen, but maybe we get more chapter 90 or we stumble onto some other funding. Um if we set a hard cap that
might be detrimental to But I understand what you're saying. >> Yeah. I just contracts. I've never signed one and I've signed hundreds in my life of very large contracts and they all have had a dollar value assigned to them of typically when it's a unit rate
contract >> particularly those have a not to exceed number. >> Yeah. >> Without a change order >> in in municipal world. >> Yeah. I don't think I don't think I've I got to be honest. I don't think I've seen a not to exceed on any of >> our, you know, when it's a situation like this
>> building something and then you're going to >> a specific project >> when it's an open end for 3 years to do a specific thing for the town. You don't know and and again, you know, we'll hold the department heads responsible for that. >> Do we already do business with this? Is this an extension of a current contract
or is this a new new vendor for us? >> I am not sure. >> Before I got here, >> yeah, I'm not positive. >> Is this a change of order, John? to an existing contract. >> No, no, it's a new contract. >> It's a new bid. >> And again, the only the only bid we
received, >> but I mean, if it's not timesensitive to to address Frank's concerns, I'm okay with >> I don't know what they're doing, but >> yeah, >> cuz we already passed the deadline of the start, >> right? >> Several days. >> So, they may be putting things off.
>> Yep. >> Yeah, that is true. you know from being on the finance committee and watching our dollars and cents. >> Oh, absolutely. >> I know I already know what our chapter 90 money is. But >> more more than what we thought, which is
great. >> It's more money than we thought, which is out there plus the 300. So, I know how much we're working with for roads. >> Yeah. >> Or other issues associated with roads. Not specifically for doing asphalt work.
can be used for other things associated with roads. >> The only thing to Bob's point, this is a very popular time of year to do road work. >> Understandable. >> And it makes me a little bit nervous. I don't know what ski Steve's schedule is if he has projects between now and two
weeks from now if we're going to if we're going to hold him up. >> Um so I don't know how >> I think he's expecting sound. >> No, it's I mean it's a valid point. any harm in adding it to a future agenda inside of two weeks. Should there be
another agenda inside of two weeks? >> I mean, we are we are looking to meet next week. >> We could have >> we could have Steve real quick if he's got Yeah. >> Why don't we move it up by half hour? >> It's going to show a number of >> Well, we can get clarification to that.
Maybe we bump the meeting up by half hour. Put Steve on first and not instead of two weeks, we do it four days and get it done. >> That's better. I like that idea. Yeah, it works. >> Okay. So, we are Yeah. No, I I appreciate you asking the questions, Frank. Uh we are planning to have a
meeting Monday the 18th. >> So, uh the difference, >> you know, we'll split the difference and we'll try to get that question answered and vote on this for that meeting so it won't tie them up too much. >> So, thank you for doing that. >> Yeah, no problem. >> In the event that Steve can't make the meeting in person, maybe we could get
some answers as to the questions prior. >> Yeah. Yeah. As long as you understand I'd feel better if you understood a little bit. >> Sure. >> From a financial standpoint. >> Sure. Sure. >> You'll have to answer questions later. So, >> sure. All right. So, we're going to table that and we're going to jump down
to E on the agenda. Uh, which is No, that was E. Now, we're going to F, which is road openings. We have two road openings. One for 664 Monza Street and one for 318 Plymouth Street. Uh, and Pam, I know you said we switched over to
a new software now, um, excuse me, that monitors approvals and the approval status is us, uh, board of selectment and conservation are the last to approve. So, if you guys have a chance to look at it,
um I would entertain a motion to approve the road openings for 664 Maza Street and 318 Plymouth Street pending approval by the conservation commissioner. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I passes 30.
All right. We're heading down now to G, which is the library board of test trustees discussion on compensation to fill in for absences. Um, let me pull this up here. Sue uh Hill is here with the library
trustees. >> Hill, >> you have the floor. >> Stony Road. I'm the library chair, trustee chair. >> Whereas the Holmes Public Library director, Dylan Benoit, who has only recently been hired, is expected to take a 3-w weekek paternity leave upon the
birth of his baby, which is due September 29th. But he's concerned it may happen sooner. >> Well, he's library, so you can't be overdue. >> That's true. >> That has to be has to be >> just came to me. >> The library trustees would like to
confirm that Maria Buffist will be acting director for the duration of Dylan's leave, which is expected to be a minimum of 3 weeks and could be longer if there are any complications with the birth of his child. Maria will be compensated at the same rate as when she
was interim director during our director search this past spring. Uh the library trustees have voted on this and decided that is how we wanted to handle it. Dylan has not worked long enough to um
have paternity leave paid. So he will be taking whatever time that he has take to take off in an unpaid position. So, we want Maria to be fairly compensated for the work that she does over those three weeks because we don't expect Dylan to
be able to respond to any issues. >> He'll be busy library. >> Yeah. >> On an related note, uh Dylan has talked with Jean Galant about doing fill-in hours when he's gone. And it was decided
that she if she were to do so, it would be at the substitute librarian rate, not the rate that she received in the springtime when she was helping Maria. >> Okay. >> Transition. >> Okay. >> Do you you don't know off hand, Sue,
what that rate is, ballpark, substitute library rate. >> $188, I believe. >> Okay. >> I'm not familiar enough to know um FMLA rules. This this is in line with FMLA and >> maternity leave, maternity leave. No matter no matter the tenure, they're not
entitled to FMLA for a birth for a child. >> He is not entitled to anything for for the town until January and he's not entitled to federal um until next July. >> Okay.
>> I don't think she's going to want to hold on to that kid till January. So, no >> one's coming. So this suggestion theoretically the in I'm not familiar with the interim rate but this is at least a wash from the town's perspective the intermill if not a uh a savings
I would expect it to be a savings >> minus whatever gene substitution correct >> correct >> okay >> all right um any other questions for Sue from the board >> that's what that's what family >> yes absolutely in love with that >> he said that they were had already had a
an ultrasound and the baby is very large now Oh. >> So although the baby is expected, the due date is September 29th, I think he's expecting that it will happen sooner rather than later. >> Okay. So So it's good we get this squared away now. Right.
>> Appreciate it. >> Wanted to make sure it was taken care of. >> Sure. >> Makes sense. >> We don't need Oh gohead. >> So um do you want to also mention about the open house and the come to meet? >> Um the library trustees have decided to have an open house, a meet and greet for
Dylan. uh we wanted to make sure that he eased into the job before we threw all of the time spoke at him. Although he has been meeting, you know, the regulars at the library, you know, on a regular basis since he started about 3 weeks ago, months.
>> Uh so our open house is >> the 25th of August from 4:00 to 5:00. There will be some refreshments and you know, we're hoping that Dylan's wife will also be able to join us. >> So it's it's a baby shower is what you're telling me? >> Yes. That's great. >> There's also a nice write up in the July
newsletter about the hiring of Dylan. Uh great his background and so forth. >> Great. >> He's he has >> he seems great. Yeah. >> Really fantastic. >> Good guy. Totally great job. >> I mean, he has had to deal with again one of the bathroom issues, >> you know, and he took care of it, you know,
>> as we would expect a director to take care of it. So, >> yeah. No, he's got a great talk with him a little bit, great personality. Seems like a good ad to the town. So, I'm excited that he's going to be able to grow with us and he's got a growing family. Is it his first child? Do you know or child? >> Oh, it's a game changer. So, no, we wish
him well. And you don't need any emotion or anything from us. Just giving us an update on it. >> Okay. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Sue. Appreciate it. Thank you much. >> I'm hanging around with something. >> Go right ahead. >> Go right ahead. >> All right. So, we're going down to H, uh, which is letter of MBTA
non-compliance. So, we received a letter, uh, let me see if I can find it somewhere here. Uh, thank you, sir. And I'll just read this into the record, um, just so folks at home can hear it. This is from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable
Communities. Uh, it's addressed to our interim town administrator, uh, Robert Fennessesy. Uh, it says, uh, "Dear interim town administrator, Fenessy, I am writing to notify you for the reason explained below. Halifax remains non-compliant with section 3A. On
January 8th, 2025, the Supreme Judicial Court published its opinion in the case of Attorney General versus Town of Milton, confirming that section 3A is constitutional and valid and that the attorney general does have the power to enforce it. The court also held that the
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities must pro Whoa, that's a tough one. Prom promulgate >> promulgate the laws implementing guidelines through the Administrative Procedure Act. In response, the EOHLC promulgated
760 CM I'm sorry, CMR72.00 multif family zoning requirement for MBTA communities regulations. The regulations can be viewed at mass.gov/mbbta communities. The regulations set a date of July 14th, 2025 for Halifax to submit
a district compliance application. Halifax did not as of right did not have as of right multifamily zoning and did not submit a district compliance application requesting a determination of district compliance by this deadline.
Halifax was previously non-compliant with section 3A because it did not submit an action plan to the EOHLC in 2025 to achieve interim compliance. Halifax remains non-compliant with section 3A and that's in bold. As the
Supreme Judicial Court held in Attorney General versus Town of Milton, compliance with the law is mandatory and enforceable by the Attorney General. Attorney General Andrea Campbell has issued two advisories for MBTA communities in March 2023 and July 2025,
which can be view which can be read here and there's a link. uh EOHLC will continue to work with you to ensure that Halifax can achieve compliance. If you have questions or need further assistance regarding this determination, please contact the MBTA
communities compliance coordinator and it is signed Edward Augustus Jr. Secretary for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. So, just an update uh on where we stand with the MBTA. Um, we are currently in the
process of uh, litigation, so we can't really get into too too much of what what's going on, but we'll keep you guys informed uh, as we hear back from the state. Um, just wanted to let you guys know that that the state is responding to us. Um, they are not pleased. Uh, and
that's kind of the um, the reality that we're starting to see right now as far as the MBTA zoning goes. Any comments or anything from the board? No, I just that's a formal that's a formality, you know, not no surprises that we receiving the letter. We kind of
knew that's where we were. We had some choices >> uh to make um to get an interim compliance and we declined to do so. That's so I'm not surprised to receive the letter. >> Yep. >> Tommy was loud and clear. So, yep. >> That's where we are. >> Yep. So, and it was CCed to Senator
Brady, Representative Suzy, and Representative Linatra. So, we'll keep you guys informed. Again, the legal issues are not done. So, uh, as soon as we hear back from the state, uh, with our latest legal, uh, status, we will let you guys know when we hear. Anything
else, Bob, to add to that one? >> Uh, no. I have something in my town >> in your town report. Okay. All right. Great. Okay. Uh, going down to I Thorndikeke Development Corp., second amendment to development agreement. Uh so this is an amendment to our original
agreement with the Thorndikeke Development Corporation uh which is the um development over on Route 58 um over near uh what's the grill 58 uh and that area. So essentially what has
happened is both sides both the town and Thorndikeke have kind of fallen a little bit behind on the original dates of the original agreement. Uh so this is an update and an amendment to essentially uh make sure that those dates have been
pushed back a little bit so that we remain both in agreement in both uh uh what's the legal word legally uh okay on both sides as far as our target dates for what we need happening. Um none of the financials have changed in the
original agreement. Um it's still set up the same way. But what we did was in order to make sure that we're in compliance with uh a date that is both true to the town and true to Thornike, um it essentially moves it back um to
make sure that we can both be in agreement on the on the uh amendment. Any questions or anything from the board? >> So just to be abundantly clear, no financial ramifications either way. >> Correct. >> Money is not moving. Dates are the only thing impacting it. Correct. On both
side. Give and take on both >> sides. Correct. I think a little bit of this was um the the regulatory process in Halifax took Thornike a little longer than they thought. So, it kind of pushed their construction back a little bit. Uh we also had some communication hiccups a
little bit with our um the company that's our um project manager. That kind of set us back a little bit. So, we're we're now trying to correct both of those and uh move forward so that it can be a date that both parties can be okay with. >> Did I hit that right, Bob?
>> Exactly. >> Excellent. >> Exactly. >> What What's the date? >> Um >> October. >> October 1st, 2025. October 1st. It was originally August 1st, Sue. >> So, obviously that's come and gone. So,
we've now pushed that back to October 1st. um that the town's going to be soliciting bids for design of the uh the senior center project. >> So, >> oh 2025. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> So, and then we have essentially the next uh two two months
>> to to get those those bids solicited. So, >> so I need a motion to >> Yeah, I'm just Anything else, guys? >> All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve uh the second amendment to development agreement and authorize our town administrator Bob Fennessy to sign
said agreement. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. All right. We are down now to actually our town administrator update. Mr. Bob
Fennessy, you have the floor. >> Thank you for the floor. Okay. Yeah. The first thing and we talked about this earlier about chapter 90 money uh and the the state has awarded well our award for Halifax is uh
434,179 and 8 is the basic general aortionment and the they had a supplemental this year which was nice >> of $121,364.73. So, a total chapter 90 and chapter 90 can be considered highway funds that
used to be called uh of 555,54381. >> That's great. >> So, that's should get some work done. >> Great. >> You know, with that. So, we're very pleased with the increase on that. Uh, next thing I have is that the I have a notification from 3M. You may remember
the PAS lawsuits that were going on. Well, they settled that one one company settled >> and as such a town will receive a first of a series of payments from 3M settlement over several years. This payment that's coming shortly, probably
within the next week or two, is $93,65467. So, that's a a nice um chunk of change. How many years did do they >> uh they didn't say in the letter how many years? They just said several years. >> And you know, Bob, does that have to be earmarked for certain? >> It doesn't p stuff. No. >> No.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. And you think in terms of like the layfall landfill? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh so the landfill here that may, you know, use some of that money. >> Sure. >> Fix. >> Do you mind Bob? We had a quick question over there. Is that okay?
>> Yeah. Frank Johnston finance committee. So, um, we had just done a transfer at the end of, uh, the fiscal for $19,000 to increase the contract value for sampling. Will this money be utilized
for the additional sampling going forward? And we also have the going to need money for the repair of the >> the cap over there. Is this what we're going to earmark this for? >> That's the idea. I mean, it's up to the town select. Yeah, >> but I I mean it to me, Frank, it it
seems like >> I just don't want it to disappear in the general fund. >> No. No. I I would >> Doesn't it go to C doesn't it go to the reserve fund? >> It doesn't go to reserve fund. >> It would go into the capital fund. >> General fund and then be dropped out of there. >> Yeah. So, >> because we've got some significant
issues with the landfill up here and this contract came out of nowhere for 19,000. We're blindsided by that on Pincom. >> Yeah. I would like I don't want to speak for the board, but I to me it makes sense to to somehow get that money over
there because it's a PAS issue that we're collecting money on and we're dealing, you know, we're we're keeping an eye on PAS over there. So, I feel like it's a natural marriage. >> Correct. We don't know how long the state and the EPA is going to require us to do sampling. It's going to be based
on what results are on the quarterly semis and annual sampling. >> Correct. And then they may say, "Well, we want to see three more years of sampling before we'll kick you back to once a year or twice a year or something like that." But at a minimum, it's going to be on a quarterly basis.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Especially since they keep lowering the the >> the allowable amount. That's correct. >> You know, it's down almost it'll be it'll be zero pretty soon. >> Well, it's it's working its way that direction. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> I mean, to me, it just >> But you're never going to get zero,
>> right? Right. >> But it just makes sense to tie those two things together. Yeah. So, $93 is a onetime thing. >> 93,000? No. No. From what I understand, it probably Halifax's amount will be somewhere in the 400,000
vicinity >> overall. Overall, after legal fees and other things in the first one, >> but it's going to help us a lot with some of the financial issues associated with landfill that we didn't account for in the budgets this year. And and
remember that's only one company and it's multiple companies that are in this lawsuit. >> So now that that one's fallen, which was the biggest one, >> the others hopefully will fall too and then more checks will be coming in. >> Good. >> Okay, great. >> Thank you. >> Great.
>> Um where am I? The police department. >> Mhm. >> Speed sign took a little hit the other day. >> Yes, it did. >> And it was demolished. It's It's no good anymore. It value is about $15,000. >> This is the one on front of the police
station. >> No, no, it's a portable one. >> Oh, one. >> Yep. So, the um there's a claim with the insurance company for that. So, hopefully we'll be able to get a new one. >> Good. >> Uh to cover for that. The It wasn't a
speeder. It should have been. Huh. >> How'd that be for irony, right? >> Hopefully. Yeah. >> No, it was it was a it was an accident that happened. It was not any any any violation of law. So, >> trying to think of where it was. Was it at >> where was it stationed? Any idea?
>> Do you know 106? >> I think it was um by Curtain Oil. That's where it was stationed right there. >> Okay. >> Yeah. A check. A check should be coming in the mail. Um attention me. >> Oh, wow. >> Paid to the order of Huh.
>> Yeah. No. Um yeah. um our calling in today. So, we'll be getting that. >> Great. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And uh a couple things on the MBTA since we've talked about that too. Uh ear early on in late July. I think it
was July 29th. Uh the legislature held hearings before the joint commission on municipalities uh on three bills authored by representative of our representative. House 20, 2338,
2339, and 2340. All three bills related to modifying or repealing the MBTA act. I submitted written testimony on behalf of the board of selectman supporting represent representative's uh bills. Uh from what I understand has
not yet come out of committee. I don't I don't have much hope that it's going to come out with a let's get rid of this at this stage, but you never know. So it depends who's on the committee and who's working that. So So that's one thing. The second thing which which kind of
hits home now got an email today. Uh good afternoon. Well, not really. TOER, that's the uh Department of Energy, right? >> Yep. >> Uh has completed its review and evaluation of the green communities competitive grant applications submitted
last May. While the town was selected to receive a grant of $61,68 toward energy efficiency projects in municipal and school buildings, we are unable to award the funds due to the town's non-compliance status with Mass
General Law Chapter 4A section 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. And then there's a letter that came and I I'll actually read a short short letter. So this is from Department of Energy Resources
and it was to me I don't know why they're all picking on me. >> Yeah. >> You wanted the job fantasy. >> I know what the word means. >> Yeah. >> Dear manager Fantasy, we are in receipt of Halifax Green Community Spring 2025 competitive grant application. Awards
under this program are contingent upon municipality being able to certify that will comply with all applicable laws including Mass General laws. We understand that the executive office of housing and livable communities has determined that Halifax is out of compliance with general law 48 section
3A. To be eligible receive awards under the green communities competitive grant program, town would need to remediate this non-compliance. If circumstances have changed such such that Halifax expects to be in compliance with state law by September 30th, please
notify us. Without the required certification, town will not receive the green commander grant, but may be eligible to apply for grants from the program in the future. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions. So, so I think that's the first one we
>> Yeah, that's kind of the first first official rejection. >> Yeah. >> First of many probably. >> And what I'm going to do, we have a department head meeting this week. I'm going to ask each uh department head to compile a list of any grants that they rely on uh police by anybody else uh
that that may may get grants from the state just so we have a handle on how much this is. >> Sure. >> That's got to be made up some other way. So, >> yep. >> Uh Frank Frank Johnston. >> Frank Johnston >> should know your address by now.
>> Continue to submit grants. Correct. We're not going to stop. >> Correct. Yeah. Yeah. Correct. >> Cuz some may go through, some may not. >> Correct. Through >> correct. >> Correct. >> My understanding. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. I don't want the department to stop thinking because we got N.
>> No, I know. Yeah. >> No, we'll still keep trying. Although, and I haven't seen the applications on a lot of them, but I have heard that at the top it's got a big check mark. Are you are you a big box at the top that says are you compliant with MBTA? >> Can't lie. Yeah. >> You know, you know, fortunately, they
know our status right now. So, >> and I know a couple people said first of many or first of several to follow, but I'm hoping that the department heads are not quote unquote relying on this because this is not a surprise, >> right? >> Um, so we might be need to be prepared to have had this happen, but this is not like we didn't expect it. We knew this
was going to happen in December or likely to happen in December. So, I'm hoping budgets have been prepared such that, you know, there might be some difficult decisions and some shortfalls, but not unexpected ones is what I would like to comment. >> Yeah. And and I mean the the town spoke.
I mean the board of selectman is clear. We got the message loud and clear. You know, we were all at that meeting where there was a heavy heavy heavy majority uh that we're not for this. But again, we we did warn the community that this is a distinct reality. >> Absolutely. >> And it wasn't a scare tactic and it wasn't we just wanted to give those
folks um some foresight as to what was coming. Again, we have some some legal matters that are still needing attending to. We'll see how those go and we'll we'll deal with the results when they come in. >> Yeah. Got one more thing. Go ahead. >> So, just to wrap up. Um I just want to
say that I just finished my one month here at I've been here for six years. Uh no, I really have enjoyed it. Um and I want to let you guys know the staff here. every one of them that I've met and dealt with all have the the
residents and the and the the citizens of Halifax in mind and great staff. I'm very excited to work here with these people. So So I just want to ease your mind that that things are going really well and um you know I'm happy to be
here. >> Well, we're happy to have you here. >> Yes, we are. >> I appreciate that. >> Until you don't need me. I appreciate that. >> And that may be soon, but >> No. And and and it's nice to know that we don't have to rush to any sort of judgment uh with a full-time candidate.
Um you know, we'll see what the pool is. We'll see what our candidates are, but it's nice knowing that we have you kind of in our back pocket to to keep the waters as calm as possible. >> Um so I thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Say I echo that. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> That's great.
>> That makes Sherry's a little sketchy. So, she's like, "That's my go-to. How many times do I interrupt you in a day?" >> She's like, "What now, Bob?" >> I know. >> Yeah. No, she's great. She's great. >> And um and another note, um um Irma will
be leaving shortly. >> That's right. >> Uh she submitted her letter uh this week >> at the end of the month. She'll be leaving. So, >> Okay. Who's that? >> Irma. >> Irma. >> Oh, >> yeah. Um will we have a meeting before >> 26th? So yeah, our maybe our our 26th
meeting we can uh maybe put a letter together for and I am going to have a little something for her probably on her last day >> which is >> um her last day is a it's a Thursday. >> Okay. >> Um Thursday the >> 28th >> something like Yeah.
>> 28th it would be. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Keep us in there. >> Yeah. Please do. >> Yeah. >> She's a great lady. >> Yes. >> All right. Uh any other matters the board need to bring up? If not, I will definitely entertain a
motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> A second. All those in favor. >> I passes unanimous at 6:55 p.m. >> Thank you guys.